What is a doula?

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to a person before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.

 

What geographical areas do you support?

I support mainly families in Whitley, Huntington, Allen, Noble, Wabash and Kosciusko counties in Northeast Indiana...but I am willing to travel a little further depending on the circumstances. The map to the right is my service area....if you live or plan to deliver in the blue circle, contact me to see if in-person service is right for you!

Virtual services can be served to anyone...just contact me to see if it's a good fit for you!

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What is the investment I will be making to hire a doula?

The standard fee for the Birth Doula Services is $600, Virtual Services are $150, and Postpartum Doula Services are $600. This fee is broken up into several payments, but 50% is required at time of hiring as a non-refundable deposit to secure services. The only exception to the payment plan is for Virtual Services, which requires payment in full before services are rendered. We also provide a sliding scale option for low-income families (ask for details to see if you qualify).

 

What payment options do you accept? 

I accept cash, check, and credit, as well as PayPal and Venmo.

 

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife or nurse?

A doula is trained to be your emotional and physical support, providing a listening ear and comfort measures during your labor and birth. A nurse and midwife is trained to do well checks on both the laboring person as well as the baby. Shifts may change, causing a new set of nurses as you labor. A doula is a continuous face, never leaving your side. Nurses and midwives may have other parents to focus on, but a doula's focus is on you. Whether you choose an OB or a midwife, a hospital or birthing center (or even a homebirth!) the doula works *with* your birth team to give you your wishes for the birth you hope to have.

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I have heard that doulas are "crunchy granola" and push unmedicated home births. Is this true?

Each doula is as unique as a fingerprint...there are doulas who operate on more of a holistic level, and are more educated on matters such as herbal remedies, placenta encapsulation, and tend to take on clients who prefer water or home birth. Others, such as myself, take the position of "where you want to birth, how you want to birth, is where I will be". Whether you want a homebirth, waterbirth, hospital birth...epidural or no, or natural or c-section...I support you in your journey. My only stipulation is there has to be medical support, through either a doctor, midwife, or other people certified as medical support.

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What doesn't a doula do?

A doula does not perform medical tasks such as vaginal exams, fetal heart checks, measurements or blood pressure. A doula does not speak to medical staff on your behalf, and do not make any decisions for you.

 

At what point in my pregnancy should I contact a doula?

The earlier, the better! It depends on how much support you prefer to have during your pregnancy. Whether you hire a doula at 12 weeks or 8 months, you'll still get the same amount of prenatal visits. If you want someone to call with "Is this normal?" questions, then getting a doula hired sooner than later is more beneficial to you. If you dont require as much support, then you can hold off a little. But it definitely helps to find one slightly early..a lot of doulas book quickly and you don't want to miss out! 

 

Isn't my partner my doula? How does a doula help them?

Short answer: No. Your doula is trained and has experience above and beyond what your partner and you have learned in a childbirth or parenting class. No matter how prepared your partner may feel, being in the actual experience and witnessing their loved one in discomfort and pain can make them feel stressed or helpless. The presence of a doula frees your partner from feeling like they have to have all the answers, and lightens the responsibility so they don't feel like they have to be your only support. Your doula can reassure your partner that things are progressing normally, and being a calm presence. Your doula can also relieve your partner to go get something to eat, take a shower, take a nap, or go home to change clothes if the labor is particularly long.

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What is a postpartum doula?

A postpartum doula is a professional support person who is trained to help not only the baby, but the family as well, in the days or months following a birth.

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Can I still have a doula if I plan on having an epidural or c-section?

Absolutely! Your doula can help you by changing your positions as you labor, attending to the the needs you'll still have, and reassuring you and your partner. Many hospitals now allow doulas in the operating room if you need or want a c-section, and your doula can be a great help during recovery.

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Do doulas help single parents?

A doula can help anyone who is pregnant. I assist families regardless of marital status, race, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.

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Do you help high risk pregnancies?

I myself am able and willing to work with high risk pregnancies. Since I do not handle anything medically, my overall goal is to support and inform the parent, as well as explain anything that comes up during labor.

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